Mizuki Shigeru Road

Mizuki Shigeru Road (Mizuki Shigeru Rōdo) is located in Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture. It is a tourist shopping street themed around the world of yokai (Japanese spirits and monsters) created by manga artist Mizuki Shigeru, and has now become a well-known tourist attraction and cultural symbol of Japan. Not only does it showcase the entertainment aspect of yokai culture, but it is also regarded as an important hub for the dissemination of “official Japanese yokai imagery,” carrying significant cultural value.

The road stretches about 800 meters, extending from JR Sakaiminato Station to the Honmachi Arcade. Along the way, more than 100 bronze statues depicting characters from GeGeGe no Kitaro and yokai from across Japan are displayed, complemented by patterned tiles, monuments, and other features. Various shops operate under the yokai theme, forming a commercial district that maintains a unified concept while offering diverse characteristics. Originally developed by Sakaiminato City to create a street beloved by citizens, the unique idea later attracted media attention and gradually gained fame, drawing large numbers of domestic and international tourists.

With its growing popularity, special facilities such as the “Yokai Shrine” and the “Yokai Postbox” were established. JR’s Sakai Line also introduced decorated trains featuring GeGeGe no Kitaro designs, further strengthening the connection with Mizuki’s works. This series of efforts revitalized the once-declining shopping street, attracting new businesses and becoming a model example of successfully revitalizing a local area through character-based culture.

Mizuki Shigeru Road has been repeatedly recognized: in 2004 it was selected as one of the “500 Most Beautiful Japanese Streets to Stroll,” in 2006 it was included in the “77 Exemplary Shopping Streets,” and in 2017 it was chosen by the Anime Tourism Association as one of the “88 Anime Pilgrimage Sites in Japan Worth Visiting.”

Every year, multiple events are held here, such as the summer Yokai Festival, Kitaro Festival, Yokai Statue Contest, the “World Yokai Conference,” and the “Yokai Look-Alike Contest,” fully showcasing yokai culture. A large-scale renovation project began in 2017 and was completed in 2018, expanding pedestrian walkways, adding nighttime lighting, and rearranging statues to further enhance the overall visitor experience.